Returning to the shelves is “Le Solitarie” by Ada Negri, one of the most representative works of women's literature of the 20th century, published by Giannini Editore in the PEM series. The cover is a creation of the Sicilian artist Giuseppe Notarbartolo.
Article Key Points
A Classic of Female Fiction
Originally published in 1917, “Le Solitarie” is a collection of eighteen short stories that explore the condition of women between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century, with particular attention to the working and middle-class classes of the Lombard province. The work stands out for its poetic, realistic and passionate description of the lives of women of the time, oppressed by work, society and economic adversity. These “solitaries” are never truly alone, but live as daughters, wives and sisters, constantly tied to the needs of the home.
The Author: Ada Negri
Ada Negri, born in Lodi in 1870 and died in Milan in 1945, was a prominent poet and writer, also remembered as the first and only woman to be admitted to the Academy of Italy. Coming from humble origins, she began her career as a teacher and quickly established herself in the Italian cultural scene. Negri initially approached the Socialist Party, publishing works that dealt with social issues such as “Fatalità” and “Tempeste”. After a failed marriage to the entrepreneur Giovanni Garlanda, she moved to Zurich, where she wrote “Esilio”, another important collection of poems. Returning to Italy, she also devoted herself to journalism between 1914 and 1926, publishing “Le Solitarie” in 1917, and subsequently the novel “Stella mattutina” in 1921.
Article published on March 13, 2025 - 13pm
